Buffeting begone!

[Tom B]

Who wouldda thunk that a tank bag would clean up the air flow on an r12r with the factory sport screen? I have had some buffeting and helmet noise above 50, but mostly ignored it other than experimenting with different ear plugs. Today I pulled my tank bag off the shelf in the garage and packed a couple of things for my ride. As I got up to 40-50, I noticed right away that things were real quiet and real smooth. When I got to the highway, things stayed smooth, so much so that I had no idea I was doing 75 until checking the speedo at the 50mph warning before the first blind left-hander on Del Dios/S-6 eastbound. What a pleasure to have clean air around head and shoulders, no helmet noise, no shake 'n bake head fake action! Wow! I thought the buffeting on the R12R was relatively mild (and compared to my V-Strom, it was), but didn't realize until it was eliminated completely that even moderate buffeting and noise aren't necessarily normal and certainly don't add to the pleasure of the ride.

For what it's worth, the tank bag is a fairly good-sized Dowco Fastrax. In any case, it must be the right size and shape in just the right place to prevent or move the vortices that ordinarily would form around my head and shoulders. I'm 6'1 with a 32" inseam. There are so many variables at play in airflow and wind management that what works for one person may not work for the next 99 people, but this one is so easy it's worth a try for anyone who is having buffeting issues. For me, this eliminates the need to experiment with the BMW touring screen or the various aftermarket screens. I went that route with my V-Strom but to no avail -- I ended up deciding I needed a different bike. Hello R12R!

[websterize]

Interesting report. You mind posting a picture and/or more detail about the tank bag? Size, price? Is this it?

[Tom B]

Yes, that's the one. I think the hydration setup shown in the photo is an an optional accessory, though. Also, it comes with a see-through plastic map pocket that fits over the top of the pack.

[websterize]

Sportrider.com published a review of the tank bag. I've never heard of sportrider.com. More product info here. Retails for $143.

The review describes two ways to mount the tank bag, magnets or straps. What works best?
(Sorry to hijack your thread. I'm in the market for a tank bag.)

[Mollygrubber]

I've got the same bag, I think it's great. Got it for $110 including map case, hydration pack and a 1/2 size bike cover at the MotoGP in Laguna Seca. Awesome deal, I thought. Worked as my second carry on for the trip home. Lots of room, very expandable (carried a flat of blueberries home in mine) and quite secure with the magnets (I stick it to my steel door when I come in at night, I can hardly pull it off in the morning). Doesn't scratch, either. Dowco makes a great Fastrax tailbag, too.

FWIW, I think part of the reason you find less buffeting (and I apologize for re-hashing this, everyone) but the addition of a tank bag seems to minimize or disrupt the air that's forced up the front of the gas tank along the two angled fork-tube clearance recesses. The downer here is that in heavy rain, the built-in rain cover for that bag gets blown up by those channels, and you get some water inside it. A bungee around the base of the bag stops this.

I find the same result with mine (quieter, although not completely turbulence free). I wish. Maybe I should take my balls out of my purse, though...

Peter

[Tom B]

The bag fits the tank well with the magnets. I didn't spend a lot of time trying to figure out the straps because it appeared at first glance that there isn't a good spot on the R12R's unconventional front end to wrap the front strap around the steering post. The magnets are quite strong and the bag didn't move despite speeds north of 70 on a breezy gusty day. Based on today's experience, I don't see any reason to monkey around with the straps.

[deilenberger]

The magnets are quite strong and the bag didn't move despite speeds north of 70 on a breezy gusty day. Based on today's experience, I don't see any reason to monkey around with the straps.

Tom, a suggestion..

If you are going to use a magnetic tankbag - put some protective sheeting over the tank at the contact points. There is clear plastic with adhesive (easily removeable), and there are clear plastics that static-cling. Both work well in my experience, the adhesive one being a bit more secure.

The magnets will eventually cause damage to the bike finish.. little micro-bits get attracted by the magnet, and will scratch the paint. The clear plastic eliminates that problem. I use straps because I want to avoid that, but even with straps, I've seen paint damage, so the area under my tank bag is covered with a clear plastic protective film.

Just a FWIW..

[xprof]

One more caution: If you commute daily to an office, be super-vigilant about *@#%! paper clips. If your magnets pick up one of those, just once, your paint job is toast. Ask me how I know.

[websterize]

One more caution: If you commute daily to an office, be super-vigilant about *@#%! paper clips. If your magnets pick up one of those, just once, your paint job is toast. Ask me how I know.

I would guess magnets that strong don't play nice with electronics, either.

Anybody have a shot of the tank bag on the R12R?

[Mollygrubber]

Best I could do from work...



Peter

[websterize]

Best I could do from work...Peter

Looks like a calendar shot! Thanks, Peter. Looks great, man.

[websterize]

Best I could do from work...
Peter

Hey, Peter, you have any other shots of the tank bag?

[AncientMariner]

Oh my gosh. Is that a BMW OEM Touring Windshield in front of the tankbag?

[Mollygrubber]

Oh my gosh. Is that a BMW OEM Touring Windshield in front of the tankbag?

LOL - not any more!! 20" Cee Bailey now, very nice...

More bag shots - sorry, good camera, poo photographer:

Rain cover has it's own little pocket, and is sewn to the bag... me likey.



You can change the color of the inserts on the side, they include several swatches (I didn't bother, obviously).







Recommended. I'd like to check out the tail pack too, but LumpyCam's Kriega has me feeling covetous...

[celticus]

I believe that Shineysideup has the Parabellum Scout Fairing on his bike. It looks to me to have more fairing down around the bottom of the light. Does that help block any of the turbulence?

Mark

[mogu83]

Mark,
I have a Parabellum Scout on mine and I do get air coming up the front of the tank. I noticed it in the rain when I get a very slight spray coming over the front of the tank. One of my 'to do' projects is to make some sort of spray shield like the old airhead RS had on the forks under the fairing.

[celticus]

Thanks Harry.

Mark

[celticus]

The magnets are quite strong and the bag didn't move despite speeds north of 70 on a breezy gusty day. Based on today's experience, I don't see any reason to monkey around with the straps.

Tom, a suggestion..

If you are going to use a magnetic tankbag - put some protective sheeting over the tank at the contact points. There is clear plastic with adhesive (easily removeable), and there are clear plastics that static-cling. Both work well in my experience, the adhesive one being a bit more secure.

The magnets will eventually cause damage to the bike finish.. little micro-bits get attracted by the magnet, and will scratch the paint. The clear plastic eliminates that problem. I use straps because I want to avoid that, but even with straps, I've seen paint damage, so the area under my tank bag is covered with a clear plastic protective film.

Just a FWIW..

Don, Where did you get your protective sheeting? I saw some for a fair price on e-bay.

Mark

[deilenberger]

Don, Where did you get your protective sheeting? I saw some for a fair price on e-bay.

Mark

The cling stick stuff I think came from Aerostitch.. or somewhere.. the Scotch sticky stuff came from an ad on Ebay..

[celticus]

How difficult is it to put on straight?

Mark